Snap-hook.



N'o. 69I,396. Patented Ian. 21, I902.

A. K. LOVELL.'

SNAP HOOK. (Application filed May 9, 1901.)

(No ModqL) WITNEISSES KMMNQIQM m: uo'mus Fans 00, Pncnouruo. WASHINGTON u c UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

ALBERT K. LOVELL, OF NEW YORK, N. Y.

SNAP-HOOK.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 691,396, dated January 21, 1902.

Application filed May 9,1901. Serial No. 59,405. (No model.)

To all whom it may concern:

, Be it known that I, ALBERT K. LOVELL, of New York, county of New York, and State of New York, have invented a new and useful Improvement in Snap-Hooks, of which the following is a specification.

The object of my invention is to provide a cheap, simple, and strong hook or shackle which shall be without springs and which will retain 'the ring or other connecting device with certainty whether the parts are under strain or not.

To this end it consists of two peculiarlyformed hooks connected side by side having rotary motion in relation to each other, as hereinafter explained.

Figure 1 is a perspective view of my device with the ring secured thereto. Fig. 2 is a perspective view of the same opened to permit the introduction or removal of the ring. Fig. 3 is a top plan view of the closed hook; Fig. 4, a top plan view of the open hook; Figs. {5 and 6, end views of the same in its closed and open positions, respectively. Fig. 7 is a perspective view of the two principal parts. Fig. 8 is a perspective view of a modified or alternative construction.

A and A represent the two principal members of my device, each formed from a single piece of wire or other suitable metal. These two parts are complementary, being alike, excepting that one is bent to the right and the other to the left. It will be seen that each of these members consists of a straight shank a, bent at the rear end into an eye a, standing in a vertical plane. The shank is bent at the forward end horizontally outward at a and then upward, backward, and downward to form the hook proper, Q The two shanks are laid side by side and connected by encircling bands of wire 0 or by any other suitable clasps which will admit of the shanks turning or rollingabouttheirlongitudinal axes. Atthe rear end a loop or stirrup D is passed through the eyes c1. and serves as a means of attaching a strap or other connection. When this link D is extended outward in the rear of the shanks, as shown in Figs. 1 and 3, it serves to prevent the rotation of the parts and holds the main members in the relation shown in Figs. 1, 3,

and 5, so that the ends of the hooks a which retain the ring, are extended downward between the main members so far that it is impossible to disengage the ring. In other words, the laterally-expanded portions 0?, encircling the hooks, keep the ring in place thereon.

In order to effect the release of the ring, it is necessary first to release the shackle D and allow it to drop at right angles to the members A A, or practically so, as shown in Figs. 2 and 4, thus unlocking the shanks, so that they may be revolved until the books a turn outward from each other to a horizontal position, the portions a falling at the same time until they are brought together below the level of the hook, as shown in Fig. 2, thus leaving the hooks open, so that the ring may be slipped forward and lifted out without resistanoe.

In restablishing the connection the parts stand as in Fig. 2, and the ring is dropped into place past the hooks and then drawn forward, the effect being to cause the parts to revolve to their original positions and the shackle to resume the properposition for holding them.

The use of the shackle as a lock device is not the Vital feature of my structure; but as it gives additional security its use is recommended.

The essential characteristics of my device are two parallel hooks having a rolling motion in relation to each other, their formation being such that when in one position the ends of the hooks will be inclosed and covered to prevent the escape of the ring or other adjustment and that when in the other position the ends of the hooks will be uncovered, so that the ring may be removed or applied.

While I prefer to make use of hooks a at the ends of both shanks, as shown in Figs. 1 to 7,it is evident that one of the hooks may be omitted and the forward end of one shank clasped loosely around the other, as shown in Fig. 8, in which case the bends or guards a will still act as before in connection with the remaining hook.

Having thus described myinvention, what I claim is 1. A safety hook or shackle consisting of two longitudinal hooks, formed substantially I with hooks and intermediate bends, and their as described, and adapted for rotary motion rear ends provided with eyes in combination in relation to each other. with a shackle passing through said eyes.

2. In a safety-hook, the parallel connected In testimony whereof I hereunto set my 5 shanks, the hook or hooks at their forward hand,this26th dayof April, 1901, in the pres- I 5 ends, and the intermediate bent portions suronce of two attesting witnesses.

rounding the ends of the hooks when the parts ALBERT K. LOVELL. are in operative positions. Witnesses:

3. In a safety-hook, the two parallel rotary JOHN B. CLAPP,

1o shanks, having their forward ends provided HARVEY GRAY. 

